Automotive door trim panel protector and method of using the same

Abstract

A protector sheet article and method intended for application to the door trim panel of a vehicle door to prevent soiling or damage to the trim panel during vehicle assembly and shipping. The article comprises a sheet of thin flexible plastic film with an outer periphery which generally corresponds to the size and shape of the trim panel. The sheet is provided with a plurality of adhesive coated tab members for engagement with closure areas of the vehicle door to hold the sheet in position on the trim panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A protector sheet article intended for application to an inner door trim panel of a vehicle door to prevent soiling or damage to the trim panel during vehicle assembly and shipping, said door having peripheral edge closure portions, and said trim panel having a height and width, said protector sheet article comprising: a continuous sheet of relatively thin and flexible plastic film having an outer periphery with a width w and a length l, said width w being at least substantially as great as the height of said trim panel and said length l being less than the width of said trim panel, small and closely spaced corrugations extending in a relatively wide band across the width of said sheet in an amount and number to allow said sheet to be extended in length to greater than the width of said trim panel, the outer periphery of said sheet when in said extended condition having a size and shape generally corresponding to the size and shape of said trim panel;   tab portions extending from the periphery of said sheet at least along the end portions thereof, said tab members being of a length sufficient to extend over and beyond the side edges of said trim panel for engagement with the peripheral edge portion closure areas of said vehicle door; and,   pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least said tab portions to allow them to be adhesively joined to the peripheral edge closure areas of said door.   
     
     
       2. The protector sheet article as defined in claim 1 wherein said tab members are integral continuations of said sheet. 
     
     
       3. The protector sheet article as defined in claim 1 wherein smooth uncorrugated end portions of said sheet define said tab portions. 
     
     
       4. The protector sheet article as defined in claim 1 wherein said tab portions have pressure sensitive adhesive on only one face thereof, the opposite face having a release agent applied thereto to allow said sheets to be placed in aligned, stacked relationship. 
     
     
       5. The protector sheet article as defined in claim 1 wherein said small closely spaced corrugations extend completely across the width of said sheet. 
     
     
       6. A method of protecting a door trim panel of a vehicle door from dirt and damage during assembly and shipping, said door having laterally facing peripheral edge closure areas extending generally perpendicular to said trim panel and said trim panel having a height and width, comprising the steps of: a) providing a continuous sheet of relatively thin and flexible plastic film having an outer periphery with a width w and a length l, width w being at least substantially as great as the height of said trim panel and length l being at substantially less than the width of said trim panel,   b) providing integral tab portions to extend outwardly from said sheet, said tab members having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon,   c) providing a band of transversely extending corrugations across the width of said sheet in an amount sufficient to allow said sheet to be extended in length to at least the width of said trim panel;   d) placing said sheet over said trim panel and aligning the length and width of said sheet with the width and height, respectively of said door; and,   e) extending the length of said sheet to cover the width of said door and bonding said tab members to the peripheral edge portion closure areas of said door.   
     
     
       7. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said tab portions are integral end portions of said sheet. 
     
     
       8. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said sheet is stretched across said trim panel and wherein said tab portions are bonded only to the vertically extending peripheral edge portion closure areas of said door.